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Abstract:

A harness device and method are provided. The device includes a strap
having first and second opposite ends. The strap defines first and second
arm loop portions positionable about corresponding shoulders of the
individual and being movable between a first open configuration allowing
a corresponding shoulder to be positioned therein and a second
configuration for capturing the corresponding shoulder to be positioned.
The strap further defines first and second leg loop portions selectively
receivable about legs of the wearer and adjustable via an adjustment
mechanism to tighten the leg loop portions around the wearer's legs. A
connection point is defined by the first and second ends of the. A belt
is operatively connected to the strap and is positionable about a waist
of the individual.

Claims:

1. A harness device for a wearer, the wearer having shoulders and legs,
comprising: a strap having first and second opposite ends, the strap
including: first and second arm loop portions positionable about
corresponding shoulders of the wearer, the first and second arm loop
portions movable between a first open configuration allowing a
corresponding shoulder to be positioned therein and a second
configuration for capturing the corresponding shoulder positioned
therein; and a connection point defined by the first and second ends of
the strap joined together; first and second leg loop portions
positionable about corresponding legs of the wearer, the first and second
leg loop portion movable between a first open configuration allowing a
corresponding leg to be positioned therein and a second configuration for
capturing the leg positioned therein; and a belt operatively connected to
the strap and being positionable about a waist of the wearer, the belt
includes first and second ends.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the strap includes a cross strap portion
interconnecting the first and second loop portions.

3. The device claim 1 further comprising a connection structure for
connecting the first and second ends of the strap to form the connection
point.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a fastening mechanism
operatively connected to the first and second ends of the belt, the
fastening mechanism moveable between an open configuration wherein the
first and second ends of the belt are disconnected and a second closed
position wherein the first and second ends of the belt are
interconnected.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a guide operatively connected
to the strap, the guide defining at least one passageway for receiving
the first and second ends of the strap therethrough.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first and second
adjustment mechanism carried by the first and second leg loops,
respectively, wherein the first and second adjustment mechanisms are
configured to selectively tighten around and release the respective leg
of the wearer.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second leg loops comprise
a first and second adjustment mechanism coupled to one end thereof,
respectively, wherein the first and second adjustment mechanisms comprise
a buckle member receiving an end of the strap therethrough to provide
means for tightening the first and second leg loops around the respective
first and second legs.

8. A harness device for a wearer, the wearer having shoulders,
comprising: a strap having first and second opposite ends, the strap
including: first and second arm loop portions positionable about
corresponding shoulders of the wearer, the first and second arm loop
portions movable between a first open configuration allowing a
corresponding shoulder to be positioned therein and a second
configuration for capturing the corresponding shoulder; and a connection
point defined by the first and second ends of the strap; first and second
leg loop portions positionable about corresponding legs of the wearer,
the first and second arm loop portions movable between a first open
configuration allowing the corresponding leg to be received therein and a
second configuration for capturing the corresponding leg; and a belt
operatively connected to the strap and being positionable about a waist
of the wearer, the belt includes first and second ends.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the strap includes a cross strap portion
interconnecting the first and second arm loop portions.

10. The device claim 8 further comprising a connection structure for
connecting the first and second ends of the strap to form the connection
point.

11. The device of claim 8 further comprising a fastening mechanism
operatively connected to the first and second ends of the belt, the
fastening mechanism moveable between an open configuration wherein the
first and second ends of the belt are disconnected and a second closed
position wherein the first and second ends of the belt are
interconnected.

12. The device of claim 8 further comprising a guide operatively
connected to the strap, the guide defining at least one passageway for
receiving the first and second ends of the strap therethrough.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the first and second leg loop portions
respectively comprise an adjustment mechanism for selectively tightening
and loosening the first and second leg loop portions about the respective
leg.

14. The device of claim 8, wherein the first and second leg loop portions
respectively comprise first and second opposite ends, wherein the first
end is secured to the strap and the second end is attached to an
adjustment mechanism.

15. The device of claim 8, further comprising an adjustment mechanism
coupled between the strap and a respective first and second leg loop
portion for selectively tightening around the respective leg.

16. A method of tethering an individual to an elevated anchor, the method
comprising the steps of: placing a harness on the individual, the harness
including a strap having a first end and a second end, first and second
arm loop portions, and first and second leg loop portions; affixing a
belt around a waist of the individual, the belt being operatively
connected to the strap; and interconnecting the first and second ends of
the strap to the elevated anchor.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of placing the harness on the
individual includes the steps of: forming the first and second arm loops
from the strap; and positioning the first and second arm loops over
corresponding shoulders of the individual.

18. The method of claim 17 comprising the additional steps of: displacing
the individual from an elevated location; and constricting the first and
second arm loops around the shoulders of the individual so as to prevent
the falling of the individual from the elevated location.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of placing the harness on the
individual includes the step of: forming the first and second leg loops
from the strap.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of tightening the
leg loop portions around legs of the individual.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/167,364, filed on Jun. 23, 2011 and entitled
Tether Device and Method, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by
reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to harnesses, and in particular,
to a harness which may be used as a fall prevention device for tethering
an individual to an anchor while the individual is in an elevated
position, or alternatively, as a drag harness for allowing an individual
who is incapacitated and wearing the harness to be dragged to safety by a
third party.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] By way of background, hunters often seek elevated perches, such as
tree stands, to gain an improved vantage point over the surrounding
landscape while hunting. Such elevated tree stands are often accessed by
way of a ladder, or by manually scaling the side of the tree in what is
referred to as a climbing tree stand. Regardless of the style of tree
stand utilized, the stands are similar in that they provide an elevated
platform from which the hunter can survey the surrounding landscape while
hunting. Once elevated, however, the hunter as at risk of falling out of
the stand and becoming injured.

[0004] As is known, most traditional tree stands are intended to support a
single hunter. Accordingly, if a hunter were to fall out of a tree stand
and become injured, it is possible that no one would be in the immediate
vicinity to provide the required first aid. Such risk of injury is
further compounded by the fact that most hunting occurs in remote
locations, far from populated areas where one might successfully call for
required assistance. Additionally, falling from a tree stand may result
in accidentally discharging a firearm or dislodging a sharpened blade
such as a hunting knife or arrow, thereby further increasing the risk of
physical injury.

[0005] Further, many tree stands incorporate safety measures such as a
seatbelt or a restraining line to limit the occurrence of such falls.
However, these many of these safety measures are integrated into the tree
stand, such that if the tree stand were to disengage from the tree and
fall, the safety measure would not arrest the hunter's fall. In addition,
some of these safety measures, namely seatbelts, can limit the hunter's
mobility and thereby inhibit the hunter's effectiveness. Also, many of
these safety measures are incompatible with the bulky clothing necessary
for hunting in cold weather climates.

[0006] Alternatively, it can be appreciated that laborers, such as
construction workers, are often required to work at elevated locations.
Typically, these laborers climb or are otherwise lifted to an elevated
location. For example, such laborers may be positioned on a girder or
similar structural element while working at a job site such as a
skyscraper or other large building. These laborers are understandably at
an increased risk of injury from falling, and therefore, typically employ
some sort of safety measures such as a harness for preventing their fall.
However, heretofore known safety measure suffer from a number of known
disadvantages. For example, known harnesses tend to be relatively bulky
and impede the wearer's movement. Thus, such harnesses render the
laborers work more difficult and cumbersome. As a result, some laborers
forego wearing the harnesses altogether, which understandably serves to
increase the risk of injury thereto.

[0007] Moreover, in circumstances wherein an individual becomes
incapacitated, removing the individual from a hazardous environment may
be quite difficult. By way of example, firemen and persons are often
engaged in rescue and clean-up operations at hazardous locales. If the
individual becomes injured or is overcome by fumes or the like, the
individual is dependent on others to effectuate a rescue. In order to
rescue the incapacitated person, a third party will often grab the
clothing of the incapacitated individual and drag the individual to
safety. If the incapacitated individual is significantly larger than the
rescuer, it may be difficult for the rescuer to carry or drag the
incapacitated individual to safety. In addition, it is often times too
difficult to grasp clothing of the incapacitated individual to drag such
person to safety. Further, since clothing, such as a fireman's coat, is
not secured to the incapacitated individual, it may be possible to
inadvertently remove the coat from the incapacitated individual during
the dragging of such person to safety. As a result, the fireman's coat
must be repositioned on the incapacitated individual to prevent further
injury to the incapacitated individual due to potential burning debris on
the floor surface through which the incapacitated individual is dragged.
This, in turn, increases the time required to remove the incapacitated
individual from the hazardous environment.

[0008] Therefore, it is a primary object and feature of the present
invention to provide a harness which may securely tether an individual to
an anchor while the individual is in an elevated position.

[0009] It is a further object and feature of the present invention to
provide a harness including a lower body harness adapted to enable the
secure dragging or other such moving of the wearer from one location to
another.

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, a harness device for a
wearer is provided. The device includes a strap having first and second
opposite ends. The strap defines first and second arm loop portions
positionable about corresponding shoulders of the wearer. The first and
second arm loop portions are movable between a first open configuration
allowing a corresponding shoulder to be positioned therein and a second
secured configuration for capturing the corresponding shoulder positioned
therein. The strap also defines first and second leg loop portions
positionable about the wearers legs and similarly movable between a first
open configuration allowing a corresponding leg to be positioned therein
and a second secured configuration for capturing the leg to be positioned
therein. The leg loop portions may be adjusted via an adjustment
mechanism to selectively tighten or loosen the leg loop portions about
the wearer's legs.

[0011] A point is defined by the first and second ends of the strap. The
point is connectable to an anchor. A belt is operatively connected to the
strap and is positionable about a waist of the wearer. The belt includes
first and second ends.

[0012] The strap includes a cross strap portion interconnecting the first
and second arm loop portions and a connection structure connects the
first and second ends of the strap to form the point. A fastening
mechanism is operatively connected to the first and second ends of the
belt. The fastening mechanism is moveable between an open configuration
wherein the first and second ends of the belt are disconnected and a
second closed position wherein the first and second ends of the belt are
interconnected.

[0013] In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention,
a method is provided of tethering an individual to an elevated anchor.
The method includes the step of placing a harness on an individual. The
harness includes a strap having a first end and a second end. A belt is
affixed around a waist of the individual. The belt is operatively
connected to the strap. The first and second ends of the strap are
interconnected to the elevated anchor.

[0014] The step of placing the harness on the individual includes the
additional steps of forming first and second arm loops from the strap and
positioning the first and second arm loops over corresponding shoulders
of the individual and forming first and second leg loops from the strap
and positioning the first and second leg loops over the wearer's legs.

[0015] If the individual is displaced from an elevated location, the first
and second arm loops are constricted around the shoulders and the first
and second leg loops are constricted around the legs of the individual so
as to prevent the falling of the individual from the elevated location.
The method may also include the additional step of incorporating the
harness into a coat prior to the step of placing the harness on an
individual.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The drawings furnished herewith illustrate a preferred construction
of the present invention in which the above advantages and features are
clearly disclosed as well as others which will be readily understood from
the following description of the illustrated embodiment.

[0017] In the drawings:

[0018] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a harness in accordance with the
present invention worn by an individual;

[0019]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the harness of the present invention
worn by an individual; and

[0020]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the harness of the present
invention taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a harness in accordance with the present
invention is generally designated by the numeral 10. By way of example,
it is contemplated for the harness 10 to be incorporated into a garment
such as, for example, a coat (not shown). However, it can be appreciated
that the harness 10 may be incorporated into other types of clothing such
as fireman's jacket, without deviating from the scope of the present
invention. Alternatively, as best seen in FIGS. 1-3, it can be
appreciated that the harness 10 may be worn by an individual without
being incorporated into a coat or other article of clothing.

[0022] Harness 10 includes an elongated, flexible strap 22 formed from a
single piece of webbed material or the like. The strap 22 terminates at
first and second ends 24 and 26, respectively, which are joined together
by sewing, permanent or releasable fasteners, or the like at a connection
point 28 to form a single, continuous loop. The strap 22 includes a first
arm loop 30 and a second arm loop 32, which are adapted to be received
over corresponding shoulders 34 and 36 and a first leg loop 38 and a
second leg loop 40, which are adapted to be received over corresponding
legs 42 and 44.

[0023] The first and second arm loops 30 and 32 may be integrally formed
from the strap 22 or may be attached thereto by any suitable manner such
as stitching, adhesive, or the like. As illustrated, the arm loops 30 and
32 are defined by arm straps 46 having opposite ends 50 and 54
respectively that are stitched to the strap 22 at opposing connection
points 58 and therewith define the arm loops 30 and 32. In the
alternative, the arm straps 46 may comprise two separate pieces of webbed
material wherein one end of each of the arm straps 46 may be attached to
the strap 22 as discussed and wherein the other end of each of the arm
straps 46 may be joined with the other, corresponding end of the opposite
arm strap. The first and second leg loops 38 and 40 may be similarly
constructed. As illustrated, the leg loops 38 and 40 are defined by leg
straps 64 and 66, respectively. Each of the leg straps 64 and 66 includes
a pair of opposite ends 72 and 74. One of the opposite ends 72 and 74 may
be attached to the strap 22 in a manner similar to arm strap 46 and the
other of opposite ends 72 and 74 may be fixedly coupled to a connector
coupled with the strap 22 to thereby define the leg loops 38 and 40, as
will be described in further detail herein.

[0024] The first and second arm loops 30 and 32 are respectively
interconnected by a cross portion 48, which generally passes behind the
neck 52 of the wearer or individual 11. A guide 56 may be provided and
includes first and second opposing ends 56a and 56b, respectively, and
includes an inner face (not shown) and an outer face 60. The guide 56 is
interconnected at the first and second opposing ends 56a and 56b
respectively at an intermediate location to the interior surface of the
cross portion 48 of the strap 22 so as to define first and second
passageways 68 and 70 respectively. It is intended for the first and
second ends 24 and 26, respectively, of the strap 22 to be slidably
received in the corresponding first and second passageways 68 and 70,
respectively.

[0025] The first and second leg loops 38 and 40, respectively, are
interconnected with the strap 22 by sewing, permanent or releasable
fasteners or the like at a connection point 76. Each of the first and
second leg loops 38 and 40, respectively, may include a respective
adjustment mechanism 78 and 80. Each of the adjustment mechanisms 78 and
80 may be generally configured to securely tighten the respective first
and second leg loops 38 and 40 around the respective leg 42 and 44. In
particular, each of the adjustment mechanisms 78 and 80 may include a
buckle of the kind generally known in the art through which the strap 22
defining the first and second leg loops 38 and 40 may be received in a
serpentine manner to provide a selectively adjustable fastener for
tightening the connection of the first and second leg loops 38 and 40,
respectively, around the respective legs 42 and 44 of the wearer 12. The
first and second leg loops 38 and 40, respectively, may also include
respective retention members 100 for securing an excess portion of strap
22.

[0026] A belt 82 includes a first end 84 and a second end 86 opposite the
first end 84 and is configured to be received around the waist of the
wearer 12. The first end 84 of the belt 82 includes a male connector 88
adapted for selectively matingly engaging a female connector 90
interconnected to the second end 86 of the belt 82. The male connector 88
and the female connector 90 define a mated fastening mechanism 92
providing the wearer 12 with a simple structure for securing the harness
10 to the wearer 12. It is contemplated to provide the belt 82 with at
least one adjustment mechanism 94 along the length thereof to allow the
wearer 12 to adjust the overall length of the fastening mechanism 92
and/or adjustment mechanism may be used to interconnect the first and
second end 84 and 86, respectively, of the belt 82 and adjust the length
thereof without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

[0027] In operation, the wearer 12 puts the harness 10 on in a
conventional manner such that the first and second arm loops 30 and 32
are received over the corresponding shoulders 34 and 36, respectively, of
the wearer 12. The wearer 12 may then secure the first and second leg
loops 38 and 40 over the respective legs 42 and 44. The first and second
ends 84 and 86 of the belt 82 may then be brought into mating
relationship with one another around the waist of the wearer 12 in a
conventional manner. The length of the belt 82 may be adjusted via the
adjustment mechanism 94 as is generally understood to secure the belt 82
snugly around the waist of the wearer 12.

[0028] Thereafter, once the wearer 12 has moved to a desired, elevated
position, the connection point 28 of the harness 10 can be secured to an
elevated anchor, e.g., girder 96 suitable for arresting the fall and
supporting the weight of the wearer 12, FIG. 1. With connection point 28
tethered to an anchor, such as a support, it can be appreciated that the
harness 10 does not inhibit the wearer's 12 range of motion, mobility or
flexibility as required of construction working, hunting, firefighting,
etc. Further, it is noted that no significant force is exerted upon the
connection point 28 as the weight of the individual is distributed over
the support structure supporting the wearer 12, e.g., beam 98.

[0029] In the event that the wearer 12 should fall from or otherwise
become displaced from the elevated support structure, e.g., beam 98,
gravity pulls the wearer 12 downwardly so as to exert a force on the
connection point 28 and tighten the first and second arm loops 30 and 32,
respectively, about shoulders 34 and 36, respectively, of the wearer 12.
With the first and second arm loops 30 and 32, respectively, tightened
about the shoulders 34 and 36, respectively, of the wearer 12, the wearer
12 is retained within the harness 10. As such, the individual is
suspended from the connection point 28 by the strap 22 of the harness 10
in an elevated position, thereby preventing the individual from falling
to the ground and becoming injured. It is intended for a portion of the
weight of the wearer 12 to be partially distributed along the belt 82 of
the harness 10 and the first and second leg loops 38 and 40.

[0030] As previously described, the harness 10 according to the present
invention may additionally be used to assist in moving the wearer 12 from
one location to another. Thus, in operation, should the wearer 12 of the
harness 10 become unconscious or otherwise be incapacitated such that the
wearer 12 is unable to move, another individual may be able to relatively
easily drag the wearer 12 from the wearer's 12 current location to
another location. For example, in the case of a firefighter wearing the
harness 10 becoming unconscious due to inhalation of smoke or other such
scenario, a fellow firefighter may be able to move the wearer 12 by
dragging the wearer 12. In operation, the individual responding to the
incapacitated wearer 12, may grasp the harness 10 by the connection point
28 such that first and second arm loops 30 and 32, respectively, tighten
about shoulders 34 and 36, respectively, of the wearer 12. With the first
and second arm loops 30 and 32, respectively, tightened about the
shoulders 34 and 36, respectively, of the wearer 12, the individual
responding to the incapacitated wearer 12 may pull/drag the wearer 12 to
safety. The first and second leg loops 38 and 40, respectively, received
around the wearer's 12 legs 42 and 44, respectively, provide means for
distributing the weight of the wearer 12 across the harness 10 to make
movement of the individual relatively easier. Moreover, as the first leg
and second loops 38 and 40, respectively, are received around the legs 42
and 44, respectively, the harness 10 is positioned about a lower portion
of the wearer 12 so as to make movement of the wearer's 12 lower portion
relatively easier.

[0031] Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as
being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out
and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the
invention.